TheMostReadBook.org

An English translation of the Quran that is as close as possible to the Arabic sacred text
View active topics
  Verse(s):    
View unanswered posts





Post new topic Reply to topic  [ 1 post ] 
Author Message
 Post subject: Past tense
PostPosted: 31 Dec 2013, 18:47 
Offline
Site Admin
User avatar

Joined: 04 May 2009, 16:10
Posts: 4558
Location: USA
Arabic uses the past tense to indicate events that happened in the past, but also to indicate facts. English, on the other hand, indicates facts with the present tense.

For instance, when the Quran says, إنه كان توابا, Chapter 110, verse 3, it means "He is accepting of repentance".

I suggest using the active past participle conjugation in cases like this. This tense refers to the past tense in a present-tense form, so it is ideal for such translation. It may be necessary, however, to add explanation in parentheses or interjections between square brackets, e.g., "He has [always] been accepting of repentance."

_________________
A candle loses nothing by lighting another candle.


Top
 Profile  
 
Display posts from previous:  Sort by  
Post new topic Reply to topic  [ 1 post ] 


Who is online

Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 1 guest


You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum
You cannot post attachments in this forum

Search for:
Jump to:  
cron
It is currently 19 Mar 2024, 03:13

All times are UTC

Powered by phpBB © 2000, 2002, 2005, 2007 phpBB Group